When kids use technology, they don’t just have to be glued to video games or tablets. There are many educational tech toys on the market that can entertain your child while teaching them a variety of skills. When choosing a toy, consider your child’s age and the specific skills you would like them to learn.
StepsMethod 1Method 1 of 2:Figuring Out Which Toys Are Appropriate
1Consider the child’s age. Not all educational tech toys are appropriate for all ages. This means you should think about the child’s age as you choose one. Most toys have suggested ages on the package, which can help you choose the right product for the right age.XExpert SourceJoel Warsh, MDBoard Certified PediatricianExpert Interview. 2 February 2021.Though the child may be able to use a toy designed for an older kid, think about the toy parts. Many toys aimed at older ages come with small parts that pose a choking risk for younger children.For example, some electronic devices have pointers attached to them to use on the screen. These may not be appropriate for smaller children since they may cause injury.
2Look at the language used by the toy. Small parts are not the only consideration when looking at the age range for a toy. Also consider the kinds of language used in the toy. Toys made for younger children will use easier vocabulary and have simpler concepts than those made for older children.This will keep your child from getting frustrated when dealing with the toys as well as prevent the educational content from going over the child’s head.
3Determine what activity you want your child to do. The educational toys available for children are diverse. You just have to decide what you want your child to learn. Skills learned from toys range from learning basic math and spelling skills to foreign languages to even computer programming.XExpert SourceJoel Warsh, MDBoard Certified PediatricianExpert Interview. 2 February 2021.You can try multiple kinds of toys that focus on different things so your child has the ability to learn different skills.
4Consider your child’s interests. Take your child’s interests into account when picking out a toy for them. Choose a specific toy that correspond to activities or subjects that your child likes that will also help them learn a skill you want them to learn. This will help keep them interested in learning and even help them retain more information.For example, if you child likes music, buy them a foreign language toy that incorporates music or songs into it to keep them interested. This may be a video playing toy with music videos or a book that teaches the languages through digital content or accompanying music discs.
5Consult product reviews. A good way to decide the best toy for your child is to look at product reviews. These can be found in parenting or tech magazines, on online parenting or educational blogs, from online distributor websites, or from other supplier websites. These can help you decide between similar toys or if a toy is right for your child’s specific needs.XExpert SourceJoel Warsh, MDBoard Certified PediatricianExpert Interview. 2 February 2021.For example, you may have two robot toys that you can’t decide between. Online reviews can tell how the robots are in practice with children, what features are best on each toy, and how well the robots teach the advertised information.
6Ask for advice from others. Another way to find the best educational tech toy is to ask others in you or your child’s life. If your child is learning specific things in school, ask your child’s teacher for some guidance on which toys to buy or what subjects you may want help your child learn. You can also ask your friends and relatives which educational toys have worked well for their children or that they think might be good for your child.XExpert SourceJoel Warsh, MDBoard Certified PediatricianExpert Interview. 2 February 2021.This will help you identify better options by pinpointing areas where your child can use extra help.The opinion on toys from your friends and family are more personalized and relevant to your child than generic product reviews from outside sources.
7Look into product warranties. Educational tech toys are built with a child in mind, but even the sturdiest toy can break. Many of these toys are not expensive, either. However, many more expensive tech toys come with warranties to protect the product in case of an accident.XFor example, some kid’s tech toys come with one to two year warranties where they will replace the item with no questions asked. This means that if your child throws the device across the room, you may be able to get it replaced.Check the box or research the product online before purchasing if a warranty is something you think you will need.
8Decide if you want a toy connected to your smartphone. Many educational toys connect to smartphones to operate or for additional activities. There are even educational games and apps you can add to your smartphone to make it an educational toy. When you choose a toy, decide if smartphone capabilities is something that you want.XFor example, you can get robots that can be controlled by smartphones or music-making toys that can be hooked to the phone. Many other educational toys have features where you can get additional games, activities, or apps on your phone to enhance the experience of the smartphone.Method 2Method 2 of 2:Choosing a Specific Toy
1Consider a math toy. Many toys help kids with their math skills. There are tech toys that use computers and tablets to help kids with Tangrams and other geometry skills. Kid-friendly tablets give kids endless games and apps that use their math skills.XThese toys will give your child puzzles, pictures, games, songs, and other interactive activities to help your child learn math.Many computer programming, mechanical, musical, culinary, and electronic tech toys also teach kids math.
2Think about a language toy. There are many different educational tech toys that help your children learn various language skills. Some toys help children learn how to read or read books aloud to them. Other toys help kids learn to write by going through proper strokes and teaching spelling.XYou can also find toys that teach your children foreign languages. There are many books that teach children foreign languages through interactive songs or videos that your child gains access to when you buy the book.
3Find toys that focus on science skills. Chemistry sets have been upgraded to digital science toys. Children can use digital microscopes connected to computers or tablets as they explore the microscopic world around them. Kids can also get inventing kits where they can learn how to make various scientific inventions.X There are even seed growing kits that connect with smartphones to turn the seeds into animated characters.XTrustworthy SourceEdutopiaEducational nonprofit organization focused on encouraging and celebrating classroom innovationGo to sourceThese science-based toys also teach kids computer, mechanical, and engineering skills.
4Check out computer, mechanical, or electronics skills toys. Some toys allow your child to learn basic computer skills and programming skills at a young age. There are products that allow you to put together a small computer in Lego-like parts, and products that let you snap blocks together to make small electronics. Other toys let children assemble robots.These products can teach mechanical and computer skills. They are good for kids who have interest in putting things together and taking them apart, or who have enjoyed playing with Legos, K’nex, Erector Sets, and similar products.
5Try a creative toy. Educational tech toys don’t just teach kids how to read, write, and do math, or build computers and electronics. There are many different products that let kids explore their creative side. These often incorporate other skills, such as math and spatial reasoning.They can try their hand at creating animation with different apps or small computer devices or even making music with electronic musical instruments connected to computers or phones.XOther creative apps let your child learn how to cook from an animated chef while also learning math skills.XTrustworthy SourceEdutopiaEducational nonprofit organization focused on encouraging and celebrating classroom innovationGo to source
